Effect of Chemical Modifications of Fibers on Tensile Properties of Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and jute fibers is carried out by using 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate (2-HEA) to increase the interfacial bonding of fibers with the epoxy matrix. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to measure the change of surface composition of the fibers after treatment. Modified oil palm and jute fibers were used as reinforcements for epoxy matrix to fabricate hybrid composites by the hand lay-up technique. Tensile and morphological properties of hybrid composites were studied, and tensile properties of hybrid composites prepared from chemically treated oil palm/jute fibers were found to be better than those of untreated hybrid composites. SEM micrographs disclose that interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix significantly improved in the hybrid composites. Developed hybrid composites can be exploited as alternative materials for development of automotive and structural components instead of synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites.